Was out of town this weekend sweating it out on a golf course down in Scottsdale, so hopefully you held it down and got to some of the awesome events this past weekend like Art Fest.
Dinner club was here in Castle Rock last week and it was a good one — 70 of you out across both dinners, and a good chunk of us ended up at Wild Blue Yonder afterward.
Next one is Wednesday, September 30 in Lone Tree, both dinners again. Grab a seat here and use code LT5 for $5 off, or bring your person with TABLE10 for $10 off.
Must attend event for me this week is going to be Oktoberfest on Saturday — 1 to 9pm at Wilcox Square in historic downtown, free to get in. If you want one of the commemorative steins, know that they go on sale at 12:30pm that day and only that day. There's no pre-sale, they're $40 and come with a beer token, and they sell out every year. Hope to see you there!
Oh, and we're trying to get a crew out to watch as many Broncos games as possible…hopefully they'll be less painful than last night's. We went to Downhill Brewing in Parker, but are planning on catching this Sunday's game at 2:05pm against the Jags at The Library (the bar not DCL — 3911 Ambrosia St, Ste 101, Castle Rock). Feel free to show up and find us or shoot me an email. The more the merrier!
Castle Pines Has Got It Going On
Recently hit two spots in Castle Pines that are worth mentioning: ClueClock Escape and Castello Italiano. They are in the same retail center and sit across from one another in the parking lot.
ClueClock Escape
ClueClock Escape is run by locals Chris and Joanna Walters. I was fortunate enough to meet Joanna who was our operator during the Game Shows (handling the points and the answers). ClueClock has been known for their Escape Rooms, but recently added a Game Show concept built around their own takes on the classics: Spin To Win, Friendly Feud, Name That Price, and Jackpot Falls.
She invited us out to give the Game Shows a try and it didn't disappoint. 11 of us from DougCo Social dinner group went and duked it out for about an hour. My team had the advantage from the beginning with 6 people versus 5 (though, one of them was me and I'm not sure I count for a full person). We started off real hot in Spin To Win wiping the floor with the other team. We got a little cocky when we got to Friendly Feud, having it come our way each time, but faltering when we chose to play. Then came Name That Price, where you get a second crack at the same six items and can change your answers. We got 2 of 6 and stayed put. The other team had 4 of 6 and was nice enough to change theirs and come back down to 2, so we tied. After that we hit a duel and I lost the dice roll and we went down big…per usual, there's a huge opportunity to come back at the very end so after going through Jackpot Falls and yet another duel we just squeaked it out. We knew we were going to win the entire time…
Winner Winner…
All around, an awesome time — we were able to bring our own drinks and the game's the perfect length to pair with another activity — we had gone to dinner and drinks beforehand. It's perfect for a night out with the family, friends, team-building, birthday parties, and more. You can even customize the questions/answers if you want to add some additional spice. Answers are rotated monthly so you can always come back for a new experience. I haven't tried the Escape Rooms yet, but they're high on the list!
You have a host and an operator that take care of you. Liam, who was our host, was a young magician with a very quick wit. He kept us entertained the entire hour and even did a little magic afterward that I still can't figure out.
You play all four games in the hour, so there's nothing to pick. It runs $35 a player, groups of 8 to 30, and the room is yours. 7437 Village Square Dr, Suite A115, Castle Pines.
If you're looking for a fun activity for friends, family, co-workers, or in general, be sure to check them out here.
Castello Italiano
Right across the parking lot is the room that used to be Pino's. They closed at the end of September 2024 and it has sat dark for two years. It isn't dark anymore.
Castello Italiano opened September 1, from the family behind Farro Italian Restaurant in Centennial, and it's their first expansion. The remodel took about a year and it wasn't a repaint. 157 seats, a nice little wine wall, TVs over the bar. Whatever you're picturing from the old space, it isn't that anymore.
I went solo on a bar seat the third night they were fully open. The Milan Sunrise mocktail is sweet and actually pretty good. The Caesar is a true starter salad and won't leave you without any room for your entree. I ordered the wild boar ragu on the bartender's recommendation and the bison short rib ravioli came out instead, but I'm not complaining — it was on the list to try too. Dessert I'm just going to be honest about: I ordered both the creme brulee and the Italian lemon cake and I ate them both. The lemon cake is the one I'll order again.
One fair warning. It was still week one and a few kinks showed. If your first visit isn't perfect, give them a little love and go back. The food is quite delicious.
Dinner only, closed Mondays. 4 to 9pm Tuesday through Saturday, 4 to 8pm Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome, reservations recommended. 361 Village Square Ln, Suite 130, Castle Pines — about ten minutes up I-25.
Paint Night Is Back in Castle Rock
Emma Paints (now 5280 Paint & Craft) is back in town for a collab, and she's leaning into spooky season with this one. On Friday, September 18 at Iron Mule Public House and Brewery, she's teaching Spooky Swing — a little ghost on a flower-covered swing under a moonlit tree, spiders and all. More cute than creepy, and it'll be on your wall in time for Halloween.
If you made it to the sea turtle night at Wild Blue Yonder in July, you know how these go. Emma brings everything — canvas, paints, brushes, all of it — and walks you through every step. No experience needed.
Friday, September 18, 6 to 9pm. Iron Mule Public House and Brewery, downtown Castle Rock.
Humane Colorado
Drogon is apparently a BIG tummy rub guy. He's lickin' his lips just thinking about his next one…recommended to have older kids (if any) with this big boy.
NJR Handyman
New floors, wall to wall
You've met NJR Handyman before. Here's what Nick just wrapped: new plank flooring, wall to wall.
That's the everyday NJR difference. One local guy, start to finish, no crew you've never met and no markup on materials. Floors, built-ins, barn doors, trim, and the whole to-do list.
Got a project in mind? → njrhandymanservices.com
Sports
Broncos — Well, there was a game last night…not sure much more needs to be said (Chiefs won 31-10). Bo Nix looked like he was getting a little rust off…and Davis Webb may have been doing the same. Couple of tough misses between Nix and Waddle and Sutton (both of whom were basically non-existent)…costly turnovers…looked like we had an opportunity to get back in the game when we pinned them deep and then picked Mahomes off…nope! Evan Engram, who by all accounts was a disappointment last year, had a good game. Maybe the additional star power of Waddle is opening up some more opportunities for him. We face the Jags on Sunday at 2:05pm at home. Join us at The Library (bar). Shoot me a note if you're planning on coming so I can have my eye out for you.
Nuggets — Quiet stretch before camp. The roster work is done, DeMar DeRozan is in on a one-year deal, and the preseason opener is October 4 against Utah. Real basketball is about a month out.
Avalanche — Hockey is back before the month is out. Preseason opens Sunday, September 20 at home against Utah, then Winnipeg on the road the 21st, Winnipeg at home the 25th, and Utah on the road the 26th.
Rockies — We dropped an 8-7 game to San Diego at Coors last night, which makes it eight straight and leaves us at 55-95. The road trip before it was a wipeout: swept in three at the Yankees, then swept in three at Detroit. Three more with the Padres this week, 6:40pm Tuesday and Wednesday and a 1:10pm finish Thursday, and Tuesday is Roberto Clemente Day at the ballpark. Seattle comes in Friday through Sunday.
Rapids — We beat Montréal 1-0 on Saturday and sit seventh in the West at 11-12-2 with 35 points through 25 matches. The big one is this week though: we host St. Louis CITY SC in the U.S. Open Cup semi-final on Wednesday at 7:30pm. Seattle comes to town Saturday, also 7:30pm.
Summit FC — We're tenth in the NWSL at 8-8-7 with 31 points through 23 matches, coming off a 3-3 draw with Angel City on Friday. Bay FC on Wednesday, then Seattle Reign on Saturday.
Sabercats Football — the Sabercats are 2-1 after handling Rock Canyon 33-2 at home on Friday, bouncing back from the shutout at Ralston Valley. They host Pine Creek this Thursday, September 17 at 7pm.
Huskies Football — the Huskies are 3-0 after wins over Sand Creek (31-14), Dakota Ridge (28-11), and Thomas Jefferson (48-12). They had last week off and are back home this Friday, September 18 at 7pm against Horizon, which is their league opener.
Want your business in front of 5,800 locals? Reach out if you're interested in sponsoring the newsletter.
Noteworthy
Sugar Spoon has new owners
Kesete and Megan have taken over the candy shop at 313 Third St, and they posted a thank-you over the weekend that's worth passing along. They said the support in their first week has been overwhelming.
The backstory: the previous lessee needed to move back east to take care of family, and the owners of Rock Liquors across the street picked up the lease.
The name is Sugar Spoon Candies & Ice Cream now, and the ice cream is Magill's, which is made over in Lakewood. Pup cups for the dog and ice cream sandwiches too. New hours are Sunday through Thursday 11 to 8, Friday and Saturday 10 to 9.
One heads up if you're reading this with your coffee: they're closed today to get some repairs done, so Wednesday is your day.
Castle Rock Jobs
Looking for more? Every open job we track across the county lives at dougcosocial.com/jobs.
Best of Douglas County
Don't forget to get your vote in. You can always change it or add more as you try new places.
Tons of categories. Best burger, best green chile, best cinnamon roll, etc. Takes a minute or two. No wrong answers.
Events
Last Supper Club of the Season
The last Sunset Supper Club of the season is Tuesday, September 29, out at KB Ranch on Mountain View Road. Four courses on a working ranch, and this one is the beer pairing, with a craft beer from Alidade Brewing here in town matched to each course.
Note the time moved up. It runs 6 to 8pm, earlier than the summer nights.
Tuesday, 9/15:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 10am–11:30am - $21-$24
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Elk Bugling Sightings & Sounds at Cherokee Ranch - 5pm–7:30pm - $44
Pines Bar and Grill - Trivia Night at Pines Bar and Grill - 6pm–8pm - Free
Ecclesia - Craft Night with Wild & Blume: Planter Bedazzling - 6:30pm–8pm - $30
The Whiskey Lodge - Tuesday Trivia at The Whiskey Lodge - 7pm–9pm - Free
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Geeks Who Drink Trivia at Wild Blue Yonder - 7pm–9pm - Free
Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Trivia Night: Divorced Dad Rock at Honnibrook - 7pm–9pm - Free
Wednesday, 9/16:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 10am–11:30am - $21-$24
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Just Between Friends Children's Consignment Sale (early access) - 10am–7pm - Free-$3
Ecclesia - Community & Cocktails: Home Buying and Selling Q&A - 4pm–6pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon - Bike Night with Nikki Z at Wide Open Saloon - 5pm–9pm - Free
Festival Park - A Rally of Hope for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month - 5:30pm–7:30pm - Free
Alidade Brewing - Music Bingo at Alidade - 6pm–8pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill - Karaoke Night at Pines Bar and Grill - 6pm–9pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - Book Bingo with Sudden Fiction Books at Sinners & Saints - 6:30pm–8:00pm - $15
105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales Mountain Bike Ride at 105 West - 6pm–7pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Wednesday Bingo at The Whiskey Lodge - 6:30pm–8:30pm - Free
Thursday, 9/17:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 10am–11:30am - $21-$24
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Just Between Friends Children's Consignment Sale - 10am–7pm - Free-$3
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - 1pm–3pm - $74.95
Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space - District 5 Town Council Open House - 4pm–6pm - Free
Wide Awake Eatery - Comedy Night at Wide Awake Eatery - 5pm–9pm - $28.52
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Elk Bugling Sightings & Sounds at Cherokee Ranch - 5pm–7:30pm - $44
Crowfoot Valley Coffee & Crowbar - Trivia Night - 6pm–8pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill - Open Mic Night at Pines Bar and Grill - 6pm–9pm - Free
105 West Brewing Company - Trivia Night at 105 West Brewing - 6pm–8:30pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon - Thursday Line Dancing at Wide Open Saloon - 6pm–10pm - Free
Miller Park Amphitheater - Tunes for Trails: Ninety Percent 90s - 6:30pm–9pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Free Whiskey Tasting & Poker Night at The Whiskey Lodge - 7pm–10pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - Western Line Dancing Night at Sinners & Saints - 7pm–9pm - Free
Friday, 9/18:
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Just Between Friends Children's Consignment Sale - 9am–7pm - Free-$3
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 10am–11:30am - $21-$24
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - 12:30pm–3pm - $74.95
Iron Mule Public House and Brewery - Spooky Swing Paint & Sip in Castle Rock - 6pm–9pm - $49.87
Alidade Brewing - Rip & Sip Plus N64 Game Night at Alidade Brewing - 6pm–9pm - Free
Pines Bar and Grill - Live Band at Pines Bar and Grill - 6pm–9pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon - Sarah P and the Hay Pullers at The Stagecoach Saloon - 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Friday Karaoke at The Whiskey Lodge - 7pm–11pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon - Kelsey Jo and The Wildcards at Wide Open Saloon - 7pm–10:30pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - André LaMotte — Live at the Altar - 8pm–10pm - Free
Saturday, 9/19:
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Castle Rock Farmers Market - 8am–12:30pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Stones & Stories: The Geology Behind the Castle - 9am–11am - $38.50
Sandstone Ranch Open Space - Sandstone Ranch Geology Tours: Morning Session - 9am–12pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Just Between Friends Children's Consignment Sale (half price from 3:30pm) - 9am–5pm - Free-$3
Larkspur Community Park - Autumn Arts & Crafts Fest - 10am–5pm - Free
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Castle Tour at Cherokee Ranch & Castle - 10am–11:30am - $21-$24
Douglas County High School - Free Paint Recycling Event - 10am–2pm - Free
KB Ranch - Cowabunga Cafe at KB Ranch - 11am–12pm - $28
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Afternoon Tea at the Castle - 1pm–3pm - $74.95
Douglas County Libraries - Castle Rock - Fall Seed Swap - 1pm–3pm - Free
Wilcox Square - Historic Downtown Castle Rock - Oktoberfest - 1pm–9pm - Free
Sandstone Ranch Open Space - Sandstone Ranch Geology Tours: Afternoon Session - 1pm–4pm - Free
Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Gamer's Choice RPG: XCrawl Classics - 5pm–10pm - Free
Denver Polo Club - Denver Polo Club x Tiny Table Summer Dinner (September) - 6pm - $225
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Whiskey Tasting: Whiskies of the World - 6pm–9:15pm - $86.95
Pines Bar and Grill - Live Band at Pines Bar and Grill - 6pm–9pm - Free
The Stagecoach Saloon - Mountain Magic Band at The Stagecoach Saloon - 6:30pm–10:30pm - Free
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Sideways Seven at 105 West - 6:30pm–9:30pm - Free
Future Soaring Hawk Park - Castle Pines Drive-In Movie Night - 7pm–9:30pm - $10 per vehicle
The Whiskey Lodge - Saturday Live Music at The Whiskey Lodge - 7pm–10pm - Free
Wide Open Saloon - Unchained at Wide Open Saloon - 7pm–10:30pm - Free
Sinners & Saints - Live DJ in the Lounge with 'DJ Max' - 9pm–12am - Free
Sunday, 9/20:
Lost Coffee - Lost Runners Run Club with RNK Running - 8am–9:30am - Free
Festival Park - Festival Park Farmers Market - 9am–2pm - Free
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center - Just Between Friends Children's Consignment Sale (discount day) - 9am–2pm - Free-$3
Larkspur Community Park - Autumn Arts & Crafts Fest - 10am–4pm - Free
Alidade Brewing - Welcome Fall Cookie Class at Alidade Brewing - 2pm–4pm - $85
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music at 105 West Brewing - 2:30pm–5:30pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Sunday Karaoke at The Whiskey Lodge - 6pm–9pm - Free
Monday, 9/21:
Alidade Brewing - Puzzle Competition at Alidade Brewing - 6pm–8pm - $50 per team
105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales Run Club at 105 West - 6pm–7pm - Free
Sudden Fiction Books - Final Draft Book Club: FantasticLand - 6:30pm–8pm - Free
The Whiskey Lodge - Monday Bingo at The Whiskey Lodge - 6:30pm–8:30pm - Free
Looking for more? Every Douglas County event we track lives on our events calendar: dougcosocial.com/events.
Heads up on events that are further out:
Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space Trail - Autumn Equinox Hike at Dawson Butte - Tue 9/22, 9am–11am - Free
CALF's Lowell Ranch - Business Unwind: Building Bridges with Nonprofits - Wed 9/23, 4:30pm–6:30pm - Free
Gilly's Pumpkin Patch - Gilly's Pumpkin Patch 2026 - Fri 9/25, 10am–Dark - $5 individual / $20 family
Lone Creek Farms - Lone Creek Farms Fall Festival 2026 - Fri 9/25, 10am–9pm - $23.95-$27.95 (3 and under free)
The Grange - Food Truck Frenzy at The Grange - Fri 9/25, 6pm–8pm - Free
Denver Polo Club - Colorado Highland Games - Sat 9/26, 9am–8pm - $20-$45 (under 7 free)
Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space - Public Lands Day Volunteer Project at Lost Canyon Ranch - Sat 9/26, 9am–12pm - Free
Sandstone Ranch Open Space - Douglas County Fall Festival at Sandstone Ranch - Sat 9/26, 10am–3pm - Free
CALF'S Lowell Ranch - Harvest Day at CALF's Lowell Ranch - Sat 9/26, 10am–2pm - Free
Gilly's Pumpkin Patch - Gilly's Pumpkin Patch 2026 - Sat 9/26, 10am–Dark - $5 individual / $20 family
Denver Polo Club - Colorado Highland Games - Sun 9/27, 9am–5pm - $20-$45 (under 7 free)
Worth the drive: other Douglas County events can be found in our sister newsletter, DougCo Drop — subscribe below.
⚠️ Please verify event details and availability with the respective venues or organizers, as schedules may change.
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